Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional support he is providing schools for children with SEND to ensure that they remain safe in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

We have worked closely with Public Health England to agree and publish clear guidance to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to remain as safe as possible during the COVID-19 outbreak, whilst continuing to support them with their education, either in school or at home, through alternative arrangements.

The main guidance, ‘Supporting children and young people with SEND as schools and colleges prepare for wider opening’, updated on 18 June, is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-send-risk-assessment-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-send-risk-assessment-guidance.

The wider guidance, ‘Safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’, updated on 16 June 2020, is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.